The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-18

faced the door with glaring eyes; with smoth-
cred groWlS he flew from door to windows as
though we were surrounded by enemies. A
light rap now sounded on the door, followed
by volley of barks and growls from the dog
that made baby spring in his cradle. flushed
him, and waited with bated breath for the
next move. Not long was kept in suspense.
laundering blow was delivered on the door,
and rough voice shouted:
"Hello! the house! Open the door and be
quick about it,
This order was followed bya violent shaking
and pounding of the door, and another voice
shouted: "Oho! you needn't play 'possum!
Open the doorl' Then in a tone meant to be
reassuring: "We only want suthin' to eat;
then We'll go along"
Above us was loft, to which we assembled
by means of rude steps made from unshaven
boards. Taking my sleeping child in my arms
flew to these stairs as the first blow from
some heavy missile fell upon the door. Hastily
drawing the steps up after me, | placed them
across the aperture, and rolled a barrel half
filled with something heavy upon them. At
the same moment, the door cracking and Splint-
ering, under terrific blows. gave way, and
several men with shouts, and coarse laughter,
pressed into the room. They were evidently
surprised at finding it vacant and for mo-
ment stood silent, then glance at the OPEN
ing, and my preparations for defense, revealed
my hiding place.
Come down old woman" called one, land
get us some supper
We met your old man outn the pararys
yelled another "and we've only come to call
onye."
This sally was received with burst of
laughter from the bandits, for such L doubted
not they were. A horrible thought seized me.
They had met my husband, murdered him,
and come here to complete their dreadful
work.
One Of their number mounting chair caught
hold of the ladder.
Standing near me was a shot gun, whether
1rN,i 4 ,,,,+ II, i
that no longer trembled, 1 thrust the muzzle
in his face, ordering him to 'leave, or |
would fire. He darted quickly aside and a
whispered consultation was heard below. Then
one said eff We won't come down, old woman
tell us whar to find yer grub"
directed them where TO find food, and soon
the contents OF my small larGer was spread be-
ing as they devoured my white loayes, sample
preserves, and such tid-bits as the cupboard
contained, and a more vicious, wild looking
company never saw~before, and hope never
to meet again. Sun-browned, roughly dressed,
pants thrust into their boot-topS wide belts
filled with pistols, and ugly looking knives,
which were used by some in hewing off their
portion of food. A hardened, yillainous lot OF
fellows, that | felt certain would not hesitate
at any crime.
The one addressed as ''capn" was small,
WY built man, quick, nervous in manner,
with close curling, yellowish-brown hair
Slightly gray about the temples, eyes gray,
keen, restless and cruel, that seemed to follow
every movement of his followers His NOUS
tache of reddish color, the long, pointed ends
swept back across his cheeks, gave y Il = look
SO like q tiger Iha5, with a shudtloi,T with
drew my eyes and covered them with my hands
"My husbands murderer and my own -
groaned, while my heart grew sick with fear.
MADAM" spoke smooth, even tone that
knew belonged to him with the tigerish face,
"have you anything good to drink in the house?
We would be glad to pledge your health"
And his'n out'n the parary!" yelled
another, followed by peal of uproarious
laughter.
Yes I answered; "you will find small
flask where you found food"
A rush was made to the cupboard, the bottle
soon found, and passed among them, eliciting
numerous witty comments on the qualities OF
Yankee rum.
/ remembered at this moment that in a med
icine chest in the loft where ! crouched at bay
were two bottles of homemade wine, brought
from the east and intended only for sickness
In order to gain time, and possibly some
thing of their good WILL 1 resolved to pass this
down to them. Softly creeping to the box in
which it was kept raised the lid and took
cut the bottles.
AS | raised them a small bottle with dark
liquid fell over with a crash that made the vii
lains below cease talking and listen attentive
ly. Raising this to put it in place l read
"Laudanum" on its label.
With the sight of that word came an inspira-
tion-a wild hope that set my heart beating
tumultuously. Would it succeed? Mine was
desperate case; it was worth trying,
Quickly poured off little Of the wine,
turned half the laudanum into each bottle,
shook them vigorously, replaced the shoppers
wires, and creeping to the stairway, said:
''Here are two bottles of blackberry wine, if
you would like to have them.''
There was a rush to the opening.
"Gi&nd back" | commanded presenting
the lnuzzls of the gun.
"Plucky, by JOye!" growled one as they
hastily made a retrograde movement.
The leader came forward and I carefully
passed them down to him. / waited in an
agony Of terror, lest at the first taste the drug
would be detected.
"ta5tcs a Ieetlc queer, don't it?" queried
one, smacl,ing his lips.
"Oh, that's nothing" replied his mate
homemade, you know"
Glasses were brought, and round the bottles
were passed. the noise as the wine flowed
growing more fast and furious; coarse jokes
snatches Of song, and illusions to deeds that
made my flesh creep.
At last to my great JOY, the drug began to
"Infernally hot here, J." remarked one, "makes
g. fellow sleepy as the devil"
BY degrees all became quiet; some folded
their arms on the table and laid their heads
upon them. The captain dropped his head
comfortably on the back Of my willow rocker
another threw himself at full length on the
bed, and soon their scnorous breathing told
they were sleeping heavily.
knceling in the sen-darllncss thanked
God for present safety, and implored His fur
Their guidance and protection, Raising 10y
eyes ! was startled at seeing a glare Of red
light on the wall before me. In awe, not UNI
mingled with fear, / gazed on this flaming
beacon. Now paling, nov glowing, again
burning with steady light.
l crept to the solitary pane that composed
the window, at the farther end Of the loft, and
looked out upon the night. Around us the
trees were bending before the blast, which had
now increased almost to the violence Of hur-
ricane. Aiar, the sky was illumned with q
fierce glare that grew each moment higher
and brighter. The prairie was on fire, ana the
confagration sweeping down upon us with re-
sistlcss fury.
There was 10 time 10 lose! II matterod not
now whether the rufiians below awoke or not.
Quickly the ladder was thrown into place and
clasping my child now beginning to waken
ana cry, 20 my breast, clambered down.
Rushing TO tho door / flung ii wide open.
Tho fire was rerccptibly nearer the air filed
with smoke and c.ndoga, and ] could plainly
see the lcapng roaring flames ! paused on
the threshold Sho1ld ] Leave those men TO
perish or give them q chance Ion their lives?
Mercy won. Spriug.ng TO the side Of the
nearest man, shook him with all my might,
screaming:
"Fre fire tho prairie is burning. Fly for
your liyes,'